Five Great Day Trips | Extraordinary Atlantic Coast Trips
The Atlantic Coast of Florida is dotted with some of the country’s greatest and most historic destinations - and we can take you from one end of the coast to the other in just five days! Stopping in five incredible - and very different - destinations, you will experience history, beaches, nature, luxury, and adventure as you follow State Road A1A.
The Road to Adventure: Florida A1A
Perhaps no stretch of highway reaches further into America’s history than the A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway. An officially designated American Byway, the 72 miles of mostly two-lane roadway navigate nature’s beauty, history, and true serenity. The land and waters on either side of the Byway have been part of the sweep of American history, nature, archaeology, and recreation for nearly 500 years.
You can take advantage of this road as your pathway to adventure as you use it to travel along the Atlantic Coast, stopping at points along the way to enjoy some of the state’s - and the nation’s - most iconic destinations.
Day 1: History and Elegance in St. Augustine
Known as “The Nation’s Oldest City,” St. Augustine is the longest continually-inhabited European-founded city in the United States. Here you will see the story of early Florida, from Fort Matanzas National Monument to Gilded-Age hotels and even living museums like the Florida Agricultural Museum that let you get hands-on with history. Though it’s impossible to see all that the city has to offer in one day, you can get great overviews and juicy historical tidbits while taking a stroll with St. Augustine Historic Walking Tours or a relaxing ride with Old Town Trolley Tours.
Shopping is a delight here, and the city’s layout makes it easy to stroll from shop to shop (with a few places to eat in between). Visit the Arcade of Professional Artisans and Craftsmen, an open-air galleria where you can find handmade treasures. Artsy Abode Boutique on King Street contains amazing gifts, apparel, and jewelry that let you take home a little piece of Florida - in fact they’ve even been featured on First Coast Living. A few doors down on St. George is So MerMazing Boutique, which has pretty much everything that a modern-day mermaid could need: tumblers, tshirts, throw pillows, artwork, home decor, and whatever else you may mer-need.
The hotels in St. Augustine are just about as decadent and unique as the city itself. In the heart of the downtown is Casa Monica Resort and Spa, a Morrocan-themed hotel built in 1888 that boasts an ornate lobby, custom-designed rooms, some with romantic balconies or bubbling Jacuzzis. Or, try a laid-back yet elegant stay at the St. Francis Inn, located in a breathtaking, three-story historic home and grounds, the inn was built in the late 1700s. You can still experience the grandness of the old days without sacrificing on modern amenities, and the service is second to none.
nps.gov/foma
floridaagmuseum.org
staugustinehistorictours.com
trolleytours.com
artsyabode.com
somermazing.com
casamonica.com
stfrancisinn.com
Day 2: Sun, Sand, and Fun in Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach has been an iconic beach destination for decades, sporting 23 miles of beautiful sand beaches, there are plenty of easy access points as well as the Main Street Pier, with restaurants, an ice cream shop, and more. In fact, if you could spend your entire getaway on the beach, and we wouldn’t blame you. There’s even a great performance venue right on the beach! The Daytona Beach Bandshell amphitheater was first built of coquina in 1937, and features a colorful lineup that runs from big band and folk to blues and contemporary.
We must recommend dusting off the sand to explore Daytona’s many cultural offerings. The Smithsonian-affiliated Museum of Arts & Sciences (MOAS), Central Florida’s primary art, science and history museum, with an impressive American art collection, a Coca-Cola® and Americana collection, and more. Explore the area’s African-American heritage, where a large colony of freedmen was established in 1866; there are numerous places to learn more, including the African-American Museum of the Arts, the Black Heritage Museum, Freemanville Historic Site, and others.
Want to stay in the beach? In Daytona Beach, you’ve got your choice of beachfront accommodations. Oceanside Daytona offers 165 spacious rooms, including one-bedroom and Penthouse suites, as well as a freshwater pool that is a delight to swim in. Looking to stay for a long while? Beachside Rentals Property Management is an award-winning, private beach vacation home that accommodates up to 16 people, with flexible rates based on the number of rooms that you reserve.
daytonabandshell.com
moas.org
africanmuseumdeland.org
blackheritage.org
oceansidedaytona.com
bestflbeachhouse.com
Day 3: Nature and Serenity in Martin County
Packed with history, nature, and scenic backroads, Martin County is a hidden gem of Florida’s Atlantic Coast. This is one of the last places to enjoy the great outdoors - this area not only offers tranquil beaches but also lush pastures, tree-lined backroads, and charming small towns that make it a favorite for roadtrippers.
You cannot visit this area without going on an eco tour. This is one of the greatest places on Earth to learn about the importance of conservation and to see some of the purest, “realest” wild areas in the U.S. Sunshine Wildlife Tours takes you on a wild excursion aboard the Sirenia, a 35’ pontoon boat with seats in the shade, and even restrooms. Enjoy close up views of Bottlenose Dolphins, Manatees, Sea Turtles and a vast array of endangered and threatened bird species and their rookeries, and a visit to Bird Island on every tour. Zeke’s Surf, Skate, and Paddleboarding Tours put an active twist on the typical nature tour, getting you out on the water while you learn about wildlife. You can also choose a sunrise or sunset excursion to add a little extra magic!
The arts and culture scene in Martin County preserves the legacy of Old Florida through dance, music, theatre, visual arts, and museums. Built in the 1920s as a silent movie house, The Lyric Theater, located in historic downtown Stuart, is host to plays, musicals, and also showcases big name talent. Also in Indiantown is the historic Seminole Inn, a beautiful boutique hotel built in the 1920s by Baltimore banker S. Davies Warfield and just renovated in 2018, today it brings to remembrance Southern elegance of times past with opulent guest suites, a farm-to-table restaurant, and breathtaking event spaces.
sunshinewildlifetours.com
zekessurfandpaddle.com
lyrictheatre.com
seminoleinn.com
Day 4: Luxury and Decadence in The Palm Beaches
A luxurious vacation destination for many decades, The Palm Beaches pays homage to the past while perfecting the present. Of course, no matter the popular travel trend of the day, it is always the beaches that draw visitors: nearly 30 tropical beach parks span 47 miles along the Atlantic Ocean, from Jupiter Beach to Boca Raton, and you could literally choose a beach based on your mood. Venturing away from the beach, the shopping here is top-drawer (pun intended), and the rising trend of including your pet on your trip is widely serviced by pet-friendly restaurants and hotels, as well as pet spas and plenty of dog-friendly parks and beaches.
The cultural offerings of this area are endless, from sensational seasonal festivals, to museums and theaters, to science centers and botanical gardens. Walk amongst the exotic blooms of the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach. While it may come as a surprise, you will discover here the century-old connection between Japan and South Florida, beginning when a group of young Japanese farmers created a community in the area. At Morikami, you will be presented with Japanese cultural experiences that include the museum’s exhibitions rooms, surrounding an open-air courtyard.
Posh pets and their parents cannot pass up a stay at Tideline Ocean Resort & Spa in Palm Beach, a beautifully contemporary oceanfront accommodation that leads way to a private white-sand beach and features panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean - and, of course, pet-friendly suites.
morikami.org
tidelineresort.com
Day 5: Adventure and Variety in Miami
Internationally recognized as one of the hottest vacation spots in the world, Miami offers something for everyone: sunny beaches, flavorful eateries, trendy nightlife, plush hotels, and a vibrant arts and culture scene. But do not be overwhelmed by the magnitude of Miami’s offerings; instead, use the beginning of your stay to take a tour of the city and get a feel for the kinds of places that you want to visit. Miami Tour Company offers half and full day tours of the city aboard an air-conditioned bus, with several tour options.
Discover the breathtaking elegance and splendor of Miami’s Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, James Deering’s Italian Renaissance-style estate. Named after one of the most captivating shorelines on the Spanish coast, Vizcaya Museum & Gardens captures jaw-dropping European extravagance in an enchanting American context. The home’s builder, James Deering, was a prolific industrialist who explored uncharted territory in the creation of this ambitious home, planting his Renaissance-inspired estate at the heart of Miami’s tropical hardwood hammock. In 1914, Deering enlisted 1,000 workers to bring his dream home to life. It took years to perfect the mansion’s 70-plus rooms, 34 of which overflow with treasures dating back to the 15th century. The ten acres of formal gardens are the perfect ensemble to the Main House, and you will find yourself walking the grounds all day, in constant wonder.
Pretty much every shopper’s dream looks like Miami - all kinds of stores, from huge malls to small boutiques, and luxury designers to unique pieces. For fashionistas, the Design District is located between Midtown and Wynwood. Find a host of stores at the outdoor Miami mall, including Marc by Marc Jacobs, Cartier, Emilio Pucci, Celine, Louis Vuitton, Hermes and more. Perhaps one of the ritziest shopping districts in Florida can be found here at Bal Harbour Shops, where you might even have a celebrity sighting!
The neighborhood of Brickell, surrounding the busy Brickell Avenue, has risen in trendiness the past few years. One of the most stylish hotels in the area is the SLS Brickell, with an exterior looks like a colorful art piece and interiors with contemporary decor. If the beach is calling, then you must answer - with a stay at a beachfront hotel! Rising 31 stories above Sunny Isles Beach, Trump International Beach Resort Miami elevates the Miami experience with luxe coastal cool. The 355 guest rooms each offer a private balcony with views of the Atlantic Ocean and/or the Intracoastal Waterways.
miamitourcompany.com
vizcaya.org
miamidesigndistrict.net
balharbourshops.com
slsbrickell.com
trumpmiami.com
At the end of your trip along the A1A, you will have experienced some of the Sunshine State’s greatest offerings. But don’t forget, A1A doesn’t stop in Miami. It continues on over the water to take you through the Florida Keys, down to Mile Marker 0 - so, if you want to keep going, you can!
